HackerTube (Hacker Tubes)

What is HackerTube?

HackerTube is a web directory for HN-recommended videos and daily talks. It describes itself as 'the internet's unofficial watch list' and labels itself 'EST. 2026.' The site is built for people who want a curated video mix rather than a general video feed. Its homepage combines a daily selection with a broad topic taxonomy, so visitors can start with the day's mix or browse by subject. Covered areas include software engineering and languages, systems and security, AI and data, mathematics, hardware, computing history and culture, design and graphics, business and economics, politics and history, physics and space, life sciences, earth and energy, and engineering and transport. The interface supports English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.

How HackerTube works

Visitors land on a daily mix dated on the homepage; the site says 'a new mix, every day.' Topic filters then narrow the directory. The taxonomy is hierarchical: a group such as 'Software Engineering & Languages' contains subtopics including programming language design, functional programming, C/C++/Rust/Go and systems languages, web development, software architecture, compilers and program analysis, testing and developer tools, and open-source careers. Similar structures exist for the other top-level areas. HackerTube also shows watch later and watched counters in the header, suggesting a lightweight way to track videos while browsing. On supported videos, a Video Q&A feature lets users ask AI about 'the current scene or the whole video.' The homepage presents this as available on supported content, not universally. The header includes 'the directory' and 'about the data' links, separating the directory from its data. The supplied pages do not describe the recommendation algorithm, crawling method, or editorial process.

Main features

• Daily video mix: a dated homepage selection that the site says is new every day.
• Topic directory: a deep taxonomy for browsing videos by field and subtopic.
• HN-recommended positioning: the catalog is framed around HN recommendations.
• Video Q&A: AI question-answering about the current scene or the whole video, on supported videos.
• Watch later and watched counters: lightweight tracking controls in the header.
• Multilingual interface: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.
• Theme toggle: light and dark modes.
• Credit-based paid features: one-time credit packs unlock premium access and power paid features in the app.

Pricing

HackerTube uses one-time credit packs rather than a subscription. The pricing page lists three packs: $5.00 for 23,000 credits, $15.00 for 81,000 credits, and $29.00 for 174,000 credits. It also states '$15.00 About 810 runs (100 credits each),' indicating that 100 credits correspond to one run and that the $15 pack supports roughly 810 runs. Credits never expire, and the page says 'No subscription required' and 'One-time payment, no auto-renewal.' Premium access is described as an unlock. For payment problems, the page directs users to contact@hackertubes.com. The supplied pages do not specify which features consume credits beyond the general statement that credits power paid features in the app, and they do not list taxes, refund terms, or regional pricing.

Common use cases

HackerTube fits viewers who want a curated starting point for technical talks rather than an open-ended video search. A developer might check the daily mix for HN-recommended software engineering content, then filter to compilers, testing, or systems languages. A security or infrastructure reader could browse the systems, networks, and security section. AI and data topics cover machine learning, LLMs, AI safety, robotics, computer vision, and data visualization. The directory also supports broader curiosity: computing history and hacker culture, design and graphics, business and economics, politics and history, physics and space, life sciences, and earth and energy. Video Q&A is useful when a viewer wants a quick answer about a supported video without watching the whole thing. Watch later and watched lists help users keep a personal queue while browsing.

Limitations

The supplied pages do not state the total number of videos, the size of the HN source set, or how recommendations are selected. The daily mix is described as new every day, but the exact update time and timezone are not given. Video Q&A is limited to supported videos, and the pages do not define which videos qualify or what model powers the answers. Watch later and watched counters appear in the interface, but the pages do not explain whether lists are stored locally, require an account, or sync across devices. Pricing is clear at the pack level, but feature-level credit costs are not fully documented; the page only states that 100 credits equal one run and that credits power paid features. There is no information on subscription alternatives, refunds, taxes, or enterprise terms. The directory's editorial standards, moderation policy, and data provenance are also not described beyond the 'about the data' link. Users should treat HackerTube as a discovery layer and verify video content and AI answers independently.

Summary

HackerTube is a directory for HN-recommended videos and daily talks, organized by a broad topic taxonomy and supplemented by watch lists and AI video Q&A on supported videos. Its pricing is one-time credit based: $5 for 23,000 credits, $15 for 81,000 credits, and $29 for 174,000 credits, with no subscription and no expiration. The site is strongest as a curated browsing aid for technical and general-interest talks; its catalog size, recommendation method, and feature-level credit consumption are not documented on the supplied pages.